Job Description:
Date posted: June 16, 2026
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Alto Swim Club is the premier USA Swimming team serving the Palo Alto and Stanford communities. Our mission is to be the best developmental and high-performance swim team in the United States. We provide a comprehensive pathway for athletes of all levels, from learn-to-swim participants to Olympians.
We are seeking an energetic, passionate, and experienced Swim School & Pre-Competitive Program Director to lead the foundational stages of our athlete development pipeline. This full-time leadership position is ideal for someone who is enthusiastic about teaching swimming, building strong developmental programs, mentoring young athletes, and creating exceptional experiences for families.
The ideal candidate believes that great swim programs begin with great fundamentals. They are committed to helping young swimmers build confidence, develop technical skills, and discover a lifelong love of the sport. They are equally comfortable leading lessons on deck, mentoring instructors, and building relationships with families.
Position Overview
The Swim School & Pre-Competitive Program Director will oversee Alto Swim Club’s learn-to-swim and pre-competitive programs, ensuring a seamless progression from water safety and stroke development into competitive swimming. The successful candidate will be responsible for program management, staff supervision, curriculum development, customer service, and on-deck coaching.
This role combines approximately 20–25 hours of on-deck coaching and instruction with 15–20 hours of administrative and leadership responsibilities each week.
Program Leadership
- Direct and oversee all swim school and pre-competitive programming
- Develop and implement curriculum focused on water safety, stroke development, and athlete progression
- Create clear pathways for swimmers transitioning into Alto Swim Club’s competitive programs
- Monitor program quality, enrollment, and participant retention
Coaching & Instruction
- Lead pre-competitive training groups and developmental swim programs
- Provide high-quality instruction for swimmers of varying ages and abilities
- Foster a positive, engaging, and supportive learning environment
- Evaluate swimmer progress and communicate development plans with families
Administrative Duties
- Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and evaluate swim instructors and assistant coaches
- Conduct regular staff meetings and professional development opportunities
- Ensure all staff maintain required certifications and uphold program standards
- Manage class scheduling, enrollment, and program logistics
- Communicate effectively with families regarding swimmer progress and program opportunities
- Collaborate with the competitive coaching staff to support athlete transitions
- Assist with team events, clinics, and community outreach initiatives
Qualifications
- Teaching and coaching experience
- Experience teaching swim lessons and managing developmental swim programs
- Current USA Swimming coach certifications (or ability to obtain upon hire)
- Strong knowledge of stroke technique development and age-appropriate training methods
- Excellent communication, organizational, and administrative skills
- Genuine passion for coaching and working with swimmers of all ages
- Proven leadership abilities and experience managing staff
- Enthusiastic, hardworking, and highly motivated team player
Compensation
Alto Swim Club offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications.
To learn more about Alto Swim Club, visit www.altoswimclub.com.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your coaching philosophy and relevant experience to:
Thad Gunther, Team Manager
Contact Information
